Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream

Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream is a delicious and creamy treat! Made with coconut milk rather than whole milk and heavy cream, it can be a sweet alternative to traditional ice cream. Raw cacao nibs add some crunch and chocolatey goodness to this frozen dessert.

When it comes to pumpkin, you’re either a fan or not a real human being. KIDDING. I still love my friends who aren’t fans of pumpkin-flavored goodies! Although I don’t go hog wild when it comes to pumpkin consumption, I will say “yes” to pretty much any food or drink related to pumpkins. Even their close cousins, “pumpkin spice”.

Growing up in northern VA, every fall my mom would drive us out to Middleburg, VA. It’s a quaint little town west (WAY west) of D.C., and our first stop was always Scruffy’s Ice Cream Parlor. I loved stopping in because it had that mom-and-pop feel – small, cozy, and unique. After grabbing our cups of ice cream (pumpkin for me, obvi), we’d walk in and out of the local shops along the road. Mom preferred the antiques, while us kids enjoyed the boutiques and knick-knacks. Anyway, back to the ice cream.

Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream

Our five senses are known for eliciting memories, and making this Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream brought back all the “happy feels”. The smell of Scruffy’s, tastes of their creamy pumpkin ice cream, and the feeling of being cold from the fall weather – while eating ice cream – all played through my head. Pumpkin puree spiced with cinnamon and ginger brings out the most delicious smells, and watching ice cream churn in my kitchen might be my new favorite pastime. Let me tell ya, it’s way better than shaking a plastic baggie of ice cream mix in tenth grade chemistry class.

Have you tried raw cacao nibs yet? I tried them for the first time not too long ago. What was I thinking, waiting that long?! Crunchy, barely-sweet nibs are a great addition to ice cream, yogurt, granola, your hand…

Raw cacao nibs are the topping of choice for our Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream, because who doesn’t love a little chocolate with their pumpkin? The crunch adds texture to the smooth, creamy ice cream, and it all comes together in the happiest little ice cream cup.

Coconut Milk Alternative

While our household is not vegan, it’s fun to try alternatives to traditional recipes. I’ve made ice cream with the classic whole milk/heavy cream mixture, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure how the coconut milk would compare. I’m sorry, coconut milk, for being a teensy bit skeptical. You are the bomb dot com!

No whole milk, no problem. No heavy cream? Don’t sweat it! Coconut milk is a FANTASTIC alternative ingredient, and I’m pumped to test more vegan ice cream recipes. Ice cream – as the word states – is SUPPOSED to be creamy, and that stays true with the use of coconut milk. After making vegan ice cream, you will still dip your spoon into a thick and decadent treat that is almost indistinguishable from regular ice cream.

Note: just because we’re using coconut milk doesn’t mean I would advise you to go crazy because it’s “healthier”. We’ve talked about how “healthy” can mean a lot of different things, including eating appropriate portion sizes of what we normally deem “UNhealthy”. What am I saying? Enjoy this Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream! But in moderation. And along with exercise and fresh fruits and veggies. K thanks bye.

Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream

Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream is a delicious and creamy treat! Made with coconut milk rather than whole milk and heavy cream, it can be a sweet alternative to traditional ice cream. Raw cacao nibs add some crunch and chocolatey goodness to this frozen dessert.

Freeze in a freezable container or serve immediately. When serving, top with desired amount of raw cacao nibs.

by Jess

Recipe Notes

Additional Notes

Separate coconut milk solids from liquids. Discard solids in order to maintain smoothness in ice cream. If serving ice cream from frozen, best to let the container sit out on the counter for 10-15 minutes before serving.

That’s about all I made this fall that was pumpkin…I need to bake more!!

Chrissa – Physical Kitchness

November 18, 2016 at 7:23 pm

GAAAAH this is amazing! I don’t think people who dislike pumpkins are human either. Like, are you zombies? Who doesn’t love pumpkin?!?! I love that you made an ice cream treat Jess! NOM.Chrissa – Physical Kitchness recently posted…5 Essential Postpartum Health Tips

Jess

December 9, 2016 at 11:54 am

Hahah yes let’s go with they’re zombies!! xoxo

Emily Weir

November 18, 2016 at 8:44 pm

I have similar memories of an ice cream shop in Tampa, but we’re not usually enjoying cold weather while enjoying our pumpkin ice cream 🙂 This has me wishing we had an ice cream maker though! This time of year I’m trying a new pumpkin recipe every week.

Jess

December 9, 2016 at 11:54 am

I think we got it on sale one year – it attaches to my stand mixer! I don’t use it a lot, but it’s nice to have 😉 xoxo

Annmarie

November 19, 2016 at 12:43 pm

LOVE coconut ice cream …mixing it with pumpkin? That’s genius!

Jess

December 9, 2016 at 11:53 am

That’s kind of all I’ve done with pumpkin this season….how bad is that?

Farrah

November 19, 2016 at 8:11 pm

Ahhh, that ice cream looks delicious! I’m definitely going to have to try making some once I clear out some room in my freezer! 😀

Jess

December 9, 2016 at 11:53 am

Woohoo!! Hope you enjoy 🙂 xo

Sam @ PancakeWarriors

November 20, 2016 at 12:35 pm

This sounds so perfect. It just now got chilly in Texas but I don’t expect it to stay that way for long. I love pumpkin everything, and we love using coconut milk in place of heavy cream! Love your message about not going crazy on the healthy stuff, such an important message!Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…Sesame Ginger Broccoli Slaw

Jess

December 9, 2016 at 11:51 am

Thanks, Sam!! Hope all is going well with your new place!! I’m sure you’re super busy!

Erin @ Erin’s Inside Job

November 20, 2016 at 5:44 pm

So amazing. And I like how I’ve been to places you talk about on here 🙂

Also, for some reason I can’t stand cacao nibs on their own but don’t mind if they’re in food. Weird.Erin @ Erin’s Inside Job recently posted…Total Body BOSU Circuit Workout

Jess

December 9, 2016 at 11:50 am

Hahah they do have a super strong/bitter taste on their own! I feel ya 😉

Kelly @ Eat the Gains

November 20, 2016 at 8:33 pm

I love recipes that bring you back to those happy feelings. This ice cream looks so good, I need to get an ice cream maker haha!Kelly @ Eat the Gains recently posted…Balsamic Roasted Mushrooms

This sounds good, I’ve never thought about having pumpkin ice cream. Love that you make it with dairy alternatives.

Jess

December 9, 2016 at 11:48 am

Thanks, Ivanna! It was fun to experiment with different ingredients 😉

GiGi Eats

November 23, 2016 at 9:25 am

I was totally going to come home and make vegan ice cream last night – and now I am pissed I didn’t. ha! But I didn’t have any pumpkin……. So I mean, I guess I am glad I didn’t because I wouldn’t have been able to make this deliciousness!GiGi Eats recently posted…Will He Swallow? A Protein Powder Taste Test…

i made pumpkin nice cream long time ago but using coconut milk for creamer version sounds fantastic!

Jess

December 9, 2016 at 11:46 am

OH yes for sure!! I haven’t tried pumpkin nice cream yet. Great idea!

Emily

November 25, 2016 at 10:13 am

YES. YUM! I love coconut milk ice cream. Coconut milk is almost creamier than regular cream, and I totally agree that pumpkin ice cream would be so good. However I haven’t ever had pumpkin in ice cream yet. Someday I hope to try this Lord willing!Emily recently posted…Friday Favorites: A Day of Thanksgiving